Differential Clunk Normal?

[TricarboNate]

Hey,

So I was under my car installing various parts, when I decided to mess with the driveshaft.

My car has always had a clunk, especially when I shift badly....last Mustang did too. It appears to be coming right from the differential....lots of slop in it. In the video you're looking right at the front part of the differential pumpkin, where the driveshaft connects to. Sorry for the bad video, sound was messed up somehow.

[ame="[MEDIA=youtube]yxSo6D_dM9w[/MEDIA]"]

My question is, this normal? Curious if anyone else has tried moving their driveshaft at this spot and got the same noise?

Thanks,
Nate

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[EXP Jawa]

What you're seeing is backlash in the ring and pinion gearing, and yes, that's pretty normal. Hypoid gears need to have some lash in their set up to allow them to actually mesh and roll. It's hard to say from the video, but the amount you are seeing is probably on the high side of normal. Ford checks the axle system backlash in the same fashion (though before its attached to the car). IIRC, somewhere around 5 degrees is the max - for a green, unbroken-in axle. There's always some loosening of the system after break-in...

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

My GT/PP went to the dealer last week because of excessive noise, including the 'thunk' from the transmission from shifting into gear from neutral. Ford authorized them to pull the transmission and check the clutch, throw-out bearing, linkages, and sundry items, as well as replace the driveshaft. The service manager said that they've seen numerous issues with the two-piece DS, so we're going to do that first, see how much it improves the issues, and then tear into the trans and rear.

JR

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